Rally to ‘keep out EDL’ by United East End after Woolwich attack on soldier

Community leaders are holding a rally in London’s East End to stop what they fear is Right Wing extremists exploiting last month’s Woolwich attack in which Army drummer Lee Rigby was stabbed to death.

They want to prevent groups like the English Defence League staging any march in east London in response to the soldier’s killing, similar to the attempt in Whitechapel two years ago when Home Secretary Theresa May banned marches.

“We share the universal revulsion at the brutal killing of Lee Rigby,” said United East End campaign co-ordinator Glyn Robbins.

“But we are also concerned that far-right organisations have attempted to exploit this dreadful incident to stoke up bigotry and Islamophobia.

“It’s necessary in the current climate that we re-state our commitment to defend our multi-cultural society.”

United East End is inviting community, faith and campaign organisations, political parties, MPs and the Mayor of Tower Hamlets to the 7pm rally being held at the London Muslim Centre in Whitechapel Road on July 1.

It is backed by Tower Hamlets Multi-Faith Forum, Unite Against Fascism and Rainbow Hamlets campaigns, NUT and Unison trade unions, East London Central Synagogue and Islamic Forum Europe.